Harrison Phillips, Stanford: 2018 NFL Draft Scouting Report
By Jon Dove
Stanford’s Harrison Phillips is a physical defensive line prospect who excels at controlling the line of scrimmage.
Harrison Phillips features a thick build with good arm length. He uses his size and raw strength to control the action in the trenches. Phillips is a load and very difficult to move off the line of scrimmage. He is someone who can routinely occupy blockers and space.
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Phillips routinely fires off the ball and quickly gains inside hand. This allows him press the blocker and create space. He is then able to locate the football and work towards the ball carrier.
His inside hands also help him hold at the point of attack and keep his linebackers clean. Phillips does the dirty work which helps others to make plays from sideline to sideline. However, he does show the instincts and enough quickness to make plays away from this frame.
Phillips is high-motor player who works until the whistle. He never stops his pursuit which is one way he can generate pressure on the quarterback. However, Phillips doesn’t offer much as a pass rusher but can push the pocket.
His hand usage, strength and leverage give Phillips the ability to push the offensive linemen back into the quarterback’s face. This bull rush creates problems for the offense as it limits the quarterback’s vision and time in the pocket.
Phillips doesn’t have the type of quickness or speed needed to create pressure through the gaps. He also lacks the lateral quickness to routinely work past blockers.
His game is all about power, strength and effort. Phillips is someone who will immediately strengthen a defense’s ability to stuff the run by occupying space and blockers. The linebackers will love how Phillips does the dirty work and keeps them clean.
Phillips’ lack of upside as a pass rusher will hinder his draft stock some. However, there are plenty of teams that covet a physical presence like Phillips in the middle of their defensive line.